22 killed as bus rolls down gorge in Reasi

Devinder Thakur

Reasi, October 20

At least 22 persons were killed and several others injured when the bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled into a gorge in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir today. 

Reasi Deputy Commissioner Ravinder Kumar said the injured had been shifted to various hospitals for treatment. “Eighteen seriously injured persons have been airlifted to Government Medical College and Hospital in an Indian Air Force helicopter,” he said. Some of them were in a critical condition.

The bus (JK02S-0295), allegedly packed beyond its capacity, was on way to Bakal village from Reasi when it rolled down a deep gorge near Guru Nanak area of Jyotipuram, killing 15 persons on the spot.

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Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed grief over the loss of lives. She asked the district administration to speed up the rescue operation and ensure prompt medical care to the injured.

The Reasi DC has released an immediate cash relief of Rs 10,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 5,000 each for the injured.